[Bfair]

I agree with Warren......you are wrong.
This is not a balk in OBR.

I don't agree with Warren's contrived understanding of the pitcher not having started his motion. OBR simply allows for the pitcher to stop and reset provided ONLY his hands reset. That is, if he is also stepping back with his free foot or otherwise moving his feet, he is either starting his pitching motion or he is simulating a pitch when while stepping off the rubber. Keep in mind, however, that F1 is also allowed to deliver without interruption from the position of both hands at his sides. That is, he is not required to stop and reset. This certainly makes it more difficult for the runner playing under OBR interpretation to judge when the pitcher is actually in his delivery motion. If having not reset, the simultaneous movement of hands from his sides with a foot movement is the tell-tale clue.

Under OBR, the pitcher in the windup stance may have his hands together in front of him, both at his sides, or one in front and one at his side.

If starting without both hands in front of him, he may bring his hands together and reset for the pitch---coming to a stop. There is no time element involved in relation to when he engaged the rubber and when he must bring his hands together in front of him if he so desires to stop and reset. I.E.: He may run through his signals several times with his hands at his side if he so desires, and then bring his hands together in front him, stop, and reset.

From NAPBL 6.1.3:

Note that some pitchers assume their windup position with their hands apart (arms at their sides) and then go directly into their delivery to the plate from this position. Other pitchers assume their windup position with their hands apart and then bring their hands together and come to a stop before beginning their delivery to the plate [my emhpasis]. Either of these two positions is considered a legal windup position, and from either windup position (regardless of whether the pitcher's hands are together or apart), the pitcher may:

1. Deliver the ball to the batter, or
   
2. Step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick off a runner, or
   
3. Disengage the rubber by stepping off with his pivot foot first. (Disengaging the rubber by stepping back with his free foot first is a balk when runners are on base regardless of whether the pitcher's hands are together or apart.)

The passage makes no note of any time element required after engaging the rubber, and in custom and practice none is imposed. You are confusing elements of Fed interpretation with OBR interpretation.

What I will balk in OBR, however, is when the pitcher who starts with his hands apart then starts his hands forward and steps off the rubber before stopping in his reset position. Even though his customary motion may habitually be to stop and reset, once he has started his hands moving he is "in motion" until he again stops----which is allowed by interpretation. If he steps off while in motion, there was no guarantee that he intended to stop and reset since he is also allowed to deliver from a position of his hands separated, and therefore, he stepped off while in motion to deliver a pitch.

I hope you understand what I mean to say here........


Freix